Your ride today.... (part 1)

[thegravestoneman]

First weekend away in the new (to us) caravan, stopped at Naburn Lock and did some great dog walking. Then this morning the important bit, the ride out, went out with the vague idea of Malton or Castle Howard. nice ride through York seeing a few other cyclists passed one who had to justify the pass by qualifying he had just finished his ride then he went left through a red light. Out through the suburbs and an unintentional loop as I always seem to get lost in York, finally out on the A64 and a good paced blast until the Slingsby turn off and the climb up Howarth hill? passed one cyclist and stopped at the top for a photo of the monument (again still haven't found out how to get photo's off my phone ) to end up with the view of Castle Howard (well the gates at least) turned left for a couple of good climbs which seem to of dragged the last of my chest infection out, not pleasant for me or any body following. Quiet a few cyclists coming the other way all greeted cheerfully. then a good village run back to York and eventually to the caravan. All in all a nice mornings 40ish mile ride spoilt only by me leaving my cash in the caravan so no nibbles or drink and the fact the strava gave up due to poor signal. I had forgotten how much I enjoy A road blasts, is this normal?

keep cycling and enjoy
Gaz

 

[Billy Adam]

Furthest I've been today Hampshire and Surrey borders. Started off sunny but cold then warmed up and clouded over. https://www.strava.com/activities/51136630

 

[Louch]

40 miles from clackmannanshire to fife. Stopped for 10 mins to hide from a rainstorm after an uphill. Hadn't planned to go as far so didn't have any food ,and bib shorts on. Will defrost and refuel over next few hours

 

[The Brewer]

Bit training for Manchester so we did 50miles to the Wirral and a wonder and got the train back.
No records got broken but had a good laugh and a few decent pints. Timothy Taylor in the Harp near Neston and Old Empire in the Green lodge in Hoylake

Oh and it wasn't me shouting "coming through on the cycle path "

 

[Kies]

A cold and windy 32 mile ride today,popped into Windsor,and down through Runnymead,Staines and back along the A4.

 

[Glow worm]

My planned ride up along the guided busway to Fen Drayton Lakes will have to wait as it's a good half day ride from here and back, and an impromptu visit to the inlaws meant I had no time.

So it was a less energetic 18 mile pootle here in the flatlands along more familiar territory with a couple of detours along new tracks. Along Hightown Drove west of Burwell, I decided to veer off down a track I've never been along to a place called Hurdle Hall. I'm glad I did as the National Trust have kindly put in some picnic tables where I stopped for a brew. The gypsies horses joined me at one stage.

Then on alongside Reach Lode to the new bridge which is part of Sustrans Route 11 (linking Cambridge to Ely and King's Lynn)

The early sun had gone by now, replaced by cloud and a keen wind. I then headed north to Wicken Fen, although this time did a loop of the village via a couple of footpaths. I had forgotten one of them had a nasty kissing gate and I only just squeezed through.This is the view from Wicken Village looking south across the fen. This path is 30 or 40 feet higher up so you get a bit of a panoramic view. Nice view of the front edge of the cloud on the left. It must have been pretty high up becasue when I checked with the satellite pic, that edge was already over the Norfolk and Suffolk Coast.

Then it was the home stretch. I passed loads of people out on their bikes which was good to see, even a colleague of mine out with his family for a spin. Back at Swaffham Bulbeck Lode, I noticed a clattering sound coming from my front wheel. I unclipped the brake and gave it a few spins- looks like the bearings may be pitted (it is a sound a bit like if you were to throw marbles into a tumble dryer). It's some days and 40 or 50 miles before I can get to my lbs so I hope it holds out until then. Trying to fix it myself would only result in a lot of swearing (and a completely knackered wheel).

Closer to home, I took a little used bridleway which is one of my favourite local routes, mainly because I am a miserable sod and I like deserted places! Good to see the mayflower in bloom at last. Home after 3 hours or so, getting pretty chilly too, so perhaps it was wise to put off the longer ride after all.

 

[edindave]

I set off for an easy ride (after doing Sportive Kinross Black route yesterday), planning to be out for an hour or so.

Ended up going round the Forth - across the Forth Road Bridge, along Fife to Kincardine Bridge, back through Grangemouth taking the high road up past West Lothian Golf Club, and back home after 101km.

Legs feel good!


Forth Road Bridge


Cafe stop in Culross, Fife


Grangemouth Oil Refinery


Steep and Twisty

 

[Paul Bennett]

32 miles , Backwards and forwards along the coast, New Brighton to Seacombe. Horrible wind one way...one stranger used me as a wind break before managed to overtake one group.....who had stopped to eat their sandwiches...............

 

[Chris Norton]

Aimed to do my first 30 miler today only to get home to find it was 29.620. Good ride though and I feel pretty good.

 

[Spartak]

Good ride this morning to the Hawkesbury Village Hall Breakfast.

http://app.strava.com/activities/51114986

Started from home & cycled down to Easter Compton to meet the rest of the group for our ride, a tailwind gave our 6 strong peleton some assistance as we raced thru' the Severn Vale averaging approx 35 km/h along this flat section !
We then headed east crossing the A38 & continued thru' Damary, Charfield and Kingswood before tackling the climb out of Hillesley up to the Somerset Monument
We reached our destination just as breakfast was being served ( an annual event to raise money towards the up keep of the hall ) and what a bargain £5 for a full English with as much toast & coffee thrown in !
Luckily my journey home was a lot shorter than the route out, and I was home by 11 am.
89 kms in total, averaging over 26 km/h.

 

[coffeejo]

68 miles round the flat lanes of Somerset and Dorset on the Merry Monks audax. Recognised @Maggot of this parish at the start on account of his CC top so risked by pointing at him and saying "maggot". Luckily, t'was him and despite dropping me on all the hills, the poor chap had to put up with me all day. All in all, a great ride - apart from the last hill, which finished me off.

 

[edwardd67]

Out today with my wife and our friend. We are all doing a Triathlon next Sunday. Our friends first TRI.
Took her out today to cycle the bike route 4x 5k loops. Only managed 2 loops .
Nightmare 5 miles average speed of 7 mph one wee hill speed down to 4mph .
I've been off the drink for 7 months but nearly back on it!!!!

 

[Spartak]

Following on from my ride this morning ........... Little Spartak ( 3 & 1/2 ) continued her cycle training in the local park, she can now cycle for nearly 50 metres on her Islabike without stopping. BTW its a balance bike - no stabilisers

 

[Get In The Van]

I set off for an easy ride (after doing Sportive Kinross Black route yesterday), planning to be out for an hour or so.

Ended up going round the Forth - across the Forth Road Bridge, along Fife to Kincardine Bridge, back through Grangemouth taking the high road up past West Lothian Golf Club, and back home after 101km.

Legs feel good! ]

Dave did you come up from Bo'Ness town centre or just turn right at the petrol station before going up towards the Golf course? its a tough wee climb but the downhill into Linlithgow is worth it! surprised you didn't take a spin up Kingscavil! after all you did pass it!

 

[edindave]

Not quite sure about the garage you mean - my geography isn't great out that way., but here's the route...
http://app.strava.com/activities/51166109

I was going anti-clockwise round the Forth, so after exiting BP Grangemouth I had to double-back west for a km or so towards the dry ski slope.

I screwed my route up when I passed the golf club, and turned right towards Linlithgow by mistake. Thought about Beecraigs at that point (insanity!), but the dark stormy clouds put me off.

Then after Park Farm I did also for a fleeting moment think about Kingscavil () .

But sense prevailed when I remembered yesterday's Sportive Kinross Black route, and decided against it, bizarrely!